Editing RAW Files

donkeymusic

donkeymusic

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Name
Carlo
Edit My Images
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Afternoon,

never really had much use for RAw but want to start using the RAw files more but not sure best ways to go around editing them fo a starter are there anythng i really need to consdier when editing in RAW?

thanks
 
Lightroom which i am trying to get into using more and also have Photoshop
 
Fundamentals I do in camera RAW, nutralise wb, any adjustment to exposure and turn off any sharpening. Anything else I do in CS4 (CS5 when I upgrade the hdd & install Snow leopard upgrade :D)
 
i always now shoot in raw, fettle any imperfections in dpp and convert to jpeg if required for web. further that cs gets turned on.
 
LR will do 99% of anything you every need to do - except a few special effects maybe.
 
If you click on the 'Develop' button, you can just have a play to see what the 'Basic' sliders do.

There are probably step by step guides on t'internet, but generally, depending on the image, I would maximise the exposure using the Histogram as a guide. Normally you would try to maximise the Hitogram, but try not to ride up the side of the 'wall' on the left and right sides. Use your eyes though, as it is how it looks rather than being technically 'perfect'.

Fix any White Balance errors, by using a WB preset or using the White Balance Tool to click on something neutral in your image. You can alternatively use the Temp and Tint sliders to play around with the White Balance.

You can play around with all the options, but finally you get to the Detail options, here you can Sharpen, take any Noise and Chromatic Aberration out of the image.

Initially you may get odd looking conversions, I know I did, but you get to know how to get images looking the way you like. If you stick at it. ;)
 
If you are getting the image correct in camera then there should be a minimum of processing for straightforward pictures. if you have to spend hours getting PP right then there is something wrong with the way you are shooting.
 
awp said:
If you are getting the image correct in camera then there should be a minimum of processing for straightforward pictures. if you have to spend hours getting PP right then there is something wrong with the way you are shooting.
Click to expand...
In theory, depends on what your desired result is though. :shrug: Realism, or as you envisioned it.

Also how good and meticulous you are in taking the image, how much time you have taken to take the image, the limitations of your equipment. Post processing to a small or large degree depending on the problem.

If you get the image you're happy with straight out of the camera, then well done. :thumbs:
 
That's all true but for the majority of pictures you should be getting them right with little PP.
 
I agree with redhead here, it depends what you are aiming for in your final image.
But also as awp points out initially (in a perfect world:naughty: )theres nothing better than getting it right in camera ;)
 
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